Change of course pays off for local confectioner

YOU’RE sitting at your desk – most likely at home these days – and cast your eye out the window.

A fleeting thought crosses your mind – a thought that isn’t unfamiliar.

“Why can’t I just chuck this all in and do something I REALLY want to do?” you ask yourself.

“Something I enjoy. Something I’m passionate about. Something that has MEANING for me.”

“You can’t… because you have bills to pay, you need a steady income to stay off the streets, the kids have to be fed, and the fancy things you’re thinking about??? Too risky!!!” you reply, as you unconsciously turn back to the yellow-bluish glow of your computer screen.

If this might be you, then inspiration is just around the corner, at 119 Wills Street to be precise, in the form of executive-turned-confectionery dynamo Greta Donaldson.

After two decades at the top in the public relations world, a few short years ago Ms Donaldson chanced upon an old family recipe created by her grandmother – Norma from Toolleen, and after a little bit of experimentation, Bendigo Brittle was born.

“I like to say I’ve gone from PR to peanuts,” Ms Donaldson said.

“If someone told me five years ago that this is what I’d be doing, I would’ve thought they were nuts.

“But people just can’t get enough of it, and the people of Bendigo and the local businesses have really embraced Bendigo Brittle as their own.

“I’m proud to be a successful business owner in this beautiful town.

“It feels good to be part of a vibrant community that works hard at connecting, creating opportunities and building a better future for its people.

“At Bendigo Brittle we try and keep it as local as we can – supporting local businesses, local charities, local workers with product and our custom.”

One particular highlight over the journey for Ms Donaldson has been that Bendigo Brittle is, “still in business post COVID-19, and that we have actually grown our stockists during this stressful and uncertain time.”

“Every time someone contacts me wanting to stock our brittle in their business is also a highlight for me,” she said.

“This includes being taken-on by Ritchies and IGA Supermarkets stores across Victoria, and also by Bowser Bean Cafes across Victoria and New South Wales at 20 Vantage Fuels Service Stations in total.

“Plus, being able to include the world’s best nuts in our brittle – Australian peanuts, macadamia, almonds and now pistachios.”

The close-knit team, which includes Ms Donaldson mum Shirley and niece Mikala, last year shifted operations to a full-blown, custom-designed commercial kitchen.

Located on the Bendigo CBD fringe, where their Peanut Brittle, Pistachio Brittle, Macadamia Brittle, Cashew Brittle, Almond Brittle and Vegan Peanut Brittle, not to mention their recently launched 50-gram bonbonniere packs for weddings, is cooked and packaged.

You’ll find all of these treats at more than 30 shops and venues around Bendigo alone, as well as all across Victoria and the rest of Australia.

“In a time of great global upheaval, I am delighted that Bendigo Brittle is one small thing that is and can become a constant – a small moment of pleasure in people’s daily lives,” Ms Donaldson said.

“That in itself makes everything worthwhile.”

More information, including a list of stockists and online store visit bendigobrittle.com.au.